Inconvenient Side Effect
Posted By Kristabella on July 28, 2010
I have been very tired lately. I tell myself it is a side effect of the antibiotics I’m taking for my poop bacteria. But I’ve noticed a lot of people at work complaining about the same thing. (The tiredness, not the poop.) Is there something in the air? I’ve been going to bed early every night for over a week now and getting plenty of sleep, and yet I wake up and an still so exhausted. And I’m getting good, deep sleep because I hardly toss and turn and only wake up to pee since I’m drinking so much water.
And then I think “well, considering everything I’ve been ingesting the last three weeks has ended up flushing down the toilet, maybe I’m not getting the nutrients I need to be at a normal energy level.” And maybe that + medication is making me a walking zombie. Add that to the fact I haven’t been really drinking coffee because it hasn’t been sitting in my stomach well, and it’s lucky I don’t nap under the desk at work a la Constanza.
Everyone is going to tell me to keep working out. But see, the problem with this issue of the Kristin Johnsons, is that it’s not as easy as it sounds. Last night I got about halfway through Day 2 of Couch to 5k and had to jump off the treadmill and run to the lockerroom, lest there be a poop-tastrophe on the gym floor. No amount of sanitizing spray could clean that up.
So until I kick this and get done with the antibiotics (SEVEN MORE DAYS!), I’m going to try to take it easy, eat bland things and hope I never have this bacteria ever again in my life.
The one really annoying side effect to this medication is that it leaves a weird taste in my mouth. I had read that in the leaflet and then laughed because really? That’s a real side effect? Suck it up pansies.
And then, as is usually the case with my life, I got this known side effect. And let me tell you, it is nasty. It is kind of a mix of a metallic taste/the taste of your morning breath after going to bed without brushing your teeth the night after a bender. And it doesn’t go away. Drinking plain water tastes like I’m drinking it as it is filtering through a cat’s asshole. I have to add Crystal Light to every bit of water I drink. (Look at that! I touted my review posts twice without planning to! Remember this is the last week to enter the drawing!)
The thing that helps the most with this is eating. Especially things like peanut butter, that stick to your tongue and linger. Peanut butter is a Godsend this week. Except, because this side effect taste is so nasty and never goes away, I’ve pretty much consumed an entire jar of Skippy in three days. So much for the diet and eating right!
I’ve finally found a balance. I use the mix-ins in my water at work and when it is really bad, I go get some iced tea or something acidic from the little store in the office building to wipe the taste out temporarily. And today, I finally bought some gum and that has helped tremendously. The only problem with that is then my fruit punch Crystal Light tastes a little minty. But that? Still better than the nasty taste on my tongue from the medicine.
Has this ever happened to you? Does it go away?
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PB must be no match for the Kristin Johnsons if you’ve eaten that much in 3 days. Ha!
You poor thing, you have had such a rough time. I never had the taste reaction to medicine, but my mom did…. A few days after she stopped taking it, it went away….. Hang in there…
hilary´s last blog post ..Revenge of the insulted cat
You DO know that taking antibiotics will make you feel tired, right? Oh. And watch out for the dreaded yeast infection – LM needs a double of Diflucan (I think that’s how you spell it) whenever she takes an antibiotic for her constant sinus problems – because otherwise the yeasties take over and they’re just as bad as the sinus problems.
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If you’re taking metronidazole, otherwise known as flagyl, then the metallic taste is common, as you well know….a trick to keeping it at bay that us nurses use in the hospital is to give the pill with white milk. Usually keeps the metallic taste away, not full proof. but if you can stomach a glass of milk twice a day, may be worth it. 🙂
You just made my day by using our current favorite phrase: poop-tastrophe.
My 3 month old is a champion poo-er, and there are no other words to describe the aftermath.
Thanks for the laugh!
The only bad reaction I’ve had to an antibiotic was, dare I say it…a bad case of the Kristin Johnsons!!
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I get every side effect known to man, too. What about hot things? Like spicy hot? Maybe that would take the taste out of your mouth?
Raven´s last blog post ..and there I stood
You poor girl – that nasty taste sounds…nasty.
I’m glad, though, that this isn’t happening to you when we’re in New York. See you next week! Yay!
Angella´s last blog post ..On The Edge Of The World
I am de-lurking to tell you I have had that horrid taste. I was taking Biaxin (i think) and the taste was terrible. I tried to eat and drink everything I could think of and nothing worked. I finally told the Dr that I couldn’t take this another day and to please prescribe me something else. They did, thank goodness. If you can finish the whole round of that stuff, then props to you!
Love your humor by the way!
I just about died laughing in my cubicle reading this line “Drinking plain water tastes like I’m drinking it as it is filtering through a cat’s asshole”. So thank you for that.
Oh and I work for a drug company and basically if any person has ever had any side effect of any kind, it has to be put on the label.
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OMG
I read your poop posts and I was thinking, “Man that totally sucks”
and then…
developed my VERY OWN case of the raging Kristin Johnsons
and I too had to go to a Dr.
only now I get to have an ultrasound of my gallbladder and they are testing me for colitis
Good times indeed
I have that same weird taste due to pregnancy/morning sickness. What has helped me is drinking fresh, tart lemonade, sucking on wintergreen Altoids, Jolly Ranchers and Sour Patch Kids and chewing fruit flavored gum.
man, who knew the Kristin Johnsons were gonna last this long?
I do hope you are well post haste.
like i’m freaking Jane Austin or something..
You poor sick thing! I’m so sorry.
Marianne´s last blog post ..Two and a Half
what a weird yet incredibly annoying side effect! gah. maybe get one of those huge bags of mint lifesavers? 🙂
Alice´s last blog post ..ALLLL of July! in one wee post if by wee i mean immense which i do
I’ve never had to deal with anything like this before, but I’m glad you’ll be done with it in 7 days. It sounds awful!
I’m doing c25k and I am almost done with week 4. Although I think I may have to do week 4 for another week because it is HARD. Hang in there. Feel better!
FabuLeslie´s last blog post ..Warm Butter Fantasies and a Battery-Stain Removalution
I’ve had that gross taste side effect, too. It lasted the whole time I was on the meds, but went away as soon as I stopped them, THANK GOD.
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Question: how do you know how water tastes when it’s filtered through a cat’s asshole? Hmmm? Just curious.
On second thought: never mind. You can keep that little tidbit to yourself.
Almost done Kristin! You can DO IT.
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You know what makes me tired? This oppressive heat.
Hope you’re feeling 100% for BlogHer!
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